Well, you'd be surprised in regard to #1. As I'm sure you know, there are plenty of people who tie their self esteem directly to their Facebook "likes" and comments. And some people just don't have friends IRL, so those random internet folks are all they got. As much as it pains me to say this, my mom is one of those people. She doesn't have any friends (probably because she's a sociopath that drives most sane people away) but she absolutely LIVES for those internet comments on her blog and Facebook page. And conversely, the bad ones leave her fuming or depressed.

As for #2 I'll concede that she didn't directly address the person or persons who made the comments to her, and as such she probably isn't going to make much of an impact on them going forward. They'll probably never see her post and think "gee, maybe I was being a dick"...so yeah, if it were me, I would have said something right then and there and then there would have been no need to post online about it. But the situation obviously bothered her and I just don't think going onto one's own Facebook to recount an event and respond with your feelings and thoughts on the matter is her being an AW. Now, if she was the one who felt the need to alert the media and blow this thing up this big, then yeah, my opinion would change a bit. But I have a feeling that the reason this became "news" isn't due to anything she did personally; someone else probably saw it, thought "wow, others should see/read this as well" and started sharing until it got to where it is now...

That other person wouldn't have been able to share that post had the AW not arranged her settings such that posts could be shared. Just sayin'.

And honestly, I just think "good for this lady" because if her experience makes others feel better about themselves as well, then what bad can there be to say about it? She could have just left and cried about it and done nothing, but she didn't; she stood up for herself and other women like her a ...

Except that it misses the point that she stood up after the fact, in way that effectively guarantees that the people who mocked her, will never see it. Her stance now comes off as 'look at me'-ism. Moreover, the story leaves out some details so the credibility of her narrative is somewhat in question. First off, that fat shaming comes before the stretch marks makes me wonder if she broke the 'Just because it comes in my size doesn't mean I should wear it' rule. Secondly, the people who mocked her were...who? And how? Was it a sidelong glance that she interpreted in a negative way or did someone come up to her and point?)

Notice how no event or description is included. This makes me go through a mental checklist. If the offence is described effectively in the third person, with political/social statements being the core of offence rather than actual events, my bullsh*t detector goes off.

This is not to say that there isn't an important discussion to have about these and related issues but lacking details, you can't fault people for interpreting this story as look-at-me-ism.

MemeSlave:Latinwolf: Gunther: Relatively Obscure: I'd bet money that this story never happened.

I ain't taking that bet.

The actual Facebook post never says that she was "mocked", it just says "I'm sorry if... it grossed you out". The MSM's just making a story out of nothing because there haven't been any recent plane crashes and those danged middle-Easterners are having a 72 hour ceasefire instead of blowing each other up, so there's nothing newsworthy to talk about.

The same can be said for the Fark mod who approved this submission.

But its not news, it's Fark, a place to troll and snark and post meme pictures.

actually? I didn't think to add that to my profile, either.either way, nice to meet ya

Nice to meet you ma'am. I think the reason your friend was crying because of her breasts. Girls who blossom early often are labeled as easy because of the attention boys give them.

You'd be correct - add to that her dad's similar assumptions and the jealousy of other girls - ah well - we all survive the crucible of school and only some of us revert back to "no, you!" on facebook like the fertile femme in TFA

Personally, I think she makes a good case for topless beaches - nobody cares about your stretchmarks if they have boobs to look at - or, so I've been told. That or we should go back to wearing big beach hats.

actually? I didn't think to add that to my profile, either.either way, nice to meet ya

Nice to meet you ma'am. I think the reason your friend was crying because of her breasts. Girls who blossom early often are labeled as easy because of the attention boys give them.

You'd be correct - add to that her dad's similar assumptions and the jealousy of other girls - ah well - we all survive the crucible of school and only some of us revert back to "no, you!" on facebook like the fertile femme in TFA

Personally, I think she makes a good case for topless beaches - nobody cares about your stretchmarks if they have boobs to look at - or, so I've been told. That or we should go back to wearing big beach hats.

Or people could just respect each other. Don't like it? Don't look at it. Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she pulled thru.

Look lady. Get over yourself. You don't have a hot body. Some people are cruel and insensitive. I've been mocked for the state of my body too. I got over it. I didn't know the people making fun of me and I decided I really didn't give a shiat although I sort of wished I had yelled at them "Oh yeah? Let's see what you look like 25 years from now."

It's not worth getting worked up over.

I'm 6-1, 160#, give-or-take. I get some ribbing for being a skinny old guy, and I don't mind it, really, especially considering the alternative. What I do find odd is how that is apparently ok but being called out for being a fat fu*k is un-PC.

Gunther:Relatively Obscure: I'd bet money that this story never happened.

I ain't taking that bet.

The actual Facebook post never says that she was "mocked", it just says "I'm sorry if... it grossed you out". The MSM's just making a story out of nothing because there haven't been any recent plane crashes and those danged middle-Easterners are having a 72 hour ceasefire instead of blowing each other up, so there's nothing newsworthy to talk about.

Waiting for the donation fund to be set up to show those meanies on the beach.

Look lady. Get over yourself. You don't have a hot body. Some people are cruel and insensitive. I've been mocked for the state of my body too. I got over it. I didn't know the people making fun of me and I decided I really didn't give a shiat although I sort of wished I had yelled at them "Oh yeah? Let's see what you look like 25 years from now."

It's not worth getting worked up over.

I'm 6-1, 160#, give-or-take. I get some ribbing for being a skinny old guy, and I don't mind it, really, especially considering the alternative. What I do find odd is how that is apparently ok but being called out for being a fat fu*k is un-PC.

Lady, my nuts blew out two beautiful baby boys but no one wants to see that either.

/yes, you guys, I get it- my body is a wonderful miracle but some of us do still believe in old fashioned notions like " modesty" and "class" which this woman possesses none of// you're goddam right I ended that sentence with a preposition

Earthworm Jim Jones:I'd be nice to know how old the perpetrators are. 13 year olds? Yawn. Kids are dicks and nothing will change that. 20 somethings or older? Good for you. But where was your husband to punch some cocks?

Zombalupagus:Stretch marks, while unattractive, are the scars left from a noble sacrifice. They should be considered a badge of honor.

For you males out there, imagine that you must suffer an ordeal for someone you have never met. You must endure 9 months of initial change and many years of obligation. And the ordeal will leave you scarred in such a way that may leave you sexually unattractive. Would you do it? Because this is what you are asking a female to do.

/just my take on things//and if you're curious - I'm male

Nobody is criticizing stretch marks. They are criticizing her reaction to being made fun of by some tweens. Instead of having actual courage and telling them to Fark off, she cries about it in the car and then it's brave on facebook.

I find it interesting though, that society (and maybe even the same women who biatch about body shaming) finds it perfectly acceptable to tell a fat, wrinkly, hairy guy that he looks gross in Speedos.

Blowmonkey:Why has giving birth become some great and amazing feat? It's just a natural part of life, without it, there would be no life. It's like breathing. OMG, my lungs are doing this great and amazing thing!

The late great Bill Hicks did a great bit on the 'miracle' of childbirth. I'm paraphrasing, but basically it's "If it's a fu*king miracle, why does it happen a million times a day?"

Meh. Good for her. We can't all be celebrity-surgery-perfect after having little ones. I sure as hell don't have the nerve to wear anything showing more than a short-sleeved rash guard and boyshorts/boardshorts when I go to the beach, and I've only had 2 kids, but can't get rid of the loosened skin around my midsection, no matter how much exercise/cardio/excellent nutrition. You can't exercise away scars and loose flesh and severed abdominal muscles so you may as well live with it unless you can afford the surgeries to fix it. If she's not ashamed, then she's braver in public than I'll ever be.

John Buck 41:Breech Birth: .....The late great Bill Hicks did a great bit on the 'miracle' of childbirth. I'm paraphrasing, but basically it's "If it's a fu*king miracle, why does it happen a million times a day?"

paraphrasing ; not even close Bill Hicks didn't say it that way but anyway from World Pop Clock "Every day in 1997, about 365,000 babies were born."

Jesus. Ok. What the fu*k ever, dude/dudette. What part of 'I'm paraphrasing' don't you understand? The point is it happens a LOT and is NOT a miracle.

No doubt. But miracle is a word that really translates to "I don't know how that farking happens." Birth IS a miracle to really stupid people.

Gunther:Relatively Obscure: I'd bet money that this story never happened.

I ain't taking that bet.

The actual Facebook post never says that she was "mocked", it just says "I'm sorry if... it grossed you out". The MSM's just making a story out of nothing because there haven't been any recent plane crashes and those danged middle-Easterners are having a 72 hour ceasefire instead of blowing each other up, so there's nothing newsworthy to talk about.

Threadjack:Reminds me--last night was the last live run of Real Time with Bill Maher (they take August off), and in preparation, Bill did a piece where he used his prescient abilities to forecast newsworthy events while he's off the air. "Royal baby does things all babies do." "Thousands sickened on Carnival Cruise ship." And my favorite, "Malaysia Airlines lands one."/ threadjack

Panty Sniffer:suelswalker: My middle school had outdoor lockers and the hallways in my high school were open to the elements even though it didn't look that way where the lockers were located.

It must be a southern thing. That would not work so well in northern Wisconsin.

Actually, I think it's a "you live in a hot place" thing. I just remembered that my locker in Kuwait was also outside as well as in Florida. I'm pretty sure NJ had indoor lockers but I was too young to have one when I lived there.

baconbeard:seapig: So yeah, it may not be "newsworthy" but this story is uplifting and affirming...especially for those who have experienced something similar. To know that not everyone does find your body "ugly" or "gross" feels good; maybe that's the kind of affirmation someone needs to feel comfortable enough in their own body to brave the masses and hit the gym or pool without feeling as though they're going to be harshly judged for their appearance.

And honestly, I just think "good for this lady" because if her experience makes others feel better about themselves as well, then what bad can there be to say about it? She could have just left and cried about it and done nothing, but she didn't; she stood up for herself and other women like her and gave lots of others something to think about the next time they see a belly covered in stretch marks.

A couple of points:

1. I'm somewhat skeptical that an obviously insincere "you look beautiful" comment from a handful of people is going to accomplish a whole lot with respect to improving self esteem.2. This lady didn't "stand up for herself". She left, cried about it, and posted a self-indulgent, narcissistic, passive aggressive comment on Facebook that the people who mocked her will never read. This is worse than doing nothing.

1. Considering how many people use Facebook to phish for compliments and boost their self-esteem, I'm sure those comments were exactly what she was looking for.2. Yup.

magicgoo:Meh. Good for her. We can't all be celebrity-surgery-perfect after having little ones. I sure as hell don't have the nerve to wear anything showing more than a short-sleeved rash guard and boyshorts/boardshorts when I go to the beach, and I've only had 2 kids, but can't get rid of the loosened skin around my midsection, no matter how much exercise/cardio/excellent nutrition. You can't exercise away scars and loose flesh and severed abdominal muscles so you may as well live with it unless you can afford the surgeries to fix it. If she's not ashamed, then she's braver in public than I'll ever be.

You see, that's the thing; you know your body, and what is acceptable wear for it. I guess you could say she's brave, but maybe not very smart. If you want to wear things not appropriate for your body type, then don't be shocked when you get negative reactions.

sleeps in trees:dready zim: brap: Zombalupagus: Stretch marks, while unattractive, are the scars left from a noble sacrifice. They should be considered a badge of honor.

More of a badge of "I was too lazy to apply cocoa butter during pregnancy" but I guess if you want to to all Purple Heart on her ass, it's your prerogative.

This was my thought. Every woman I know with stretch marks didn`t apply the oil when stretching out. All the ones that did (including my GF) have no marks at all.

I see stretch marks as a sign of being a bit ignorant about how to look after yourself.

Now someone with a less than ideal view of how to look after themselves is looking after 5 other people (or claiming to while sunbathing instead)

I did and still got marks. Afterwords I found out Vitamin E works better. I'm not suprised though, I mean I'm 4' 11" where is that sucker supposed to go. I was freaking huge and had massive water retention. Honestly, I hated being pregnant. Just hated it. Constantly sick, sweating and waddling around. I was not one of those glowing women.

Gunther:Relatively Obscure: I'd bet money that this story never happened.

I ain't taking that bet.

The actual Facebook post never says that she was "mocked", it just says "I'm sorry if... it grossed you out". The MSM's just making a story out of nothing because there haven't been any recent plane crashes and those danged middle-Easterners are having a 72 hour ceasefire instead of blowing each other up, so there's nothing newsworthy to talk about.

Scroll down further, and ignore the poor grammar."I'm sorry if my 33 year old, [56 kilogram body] offended you so much that you felt that pointing, laughing, and pretending to kick me."